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“Molly and her staff supported me completely through a drawn out divorce. My ex and his lawyer did everything they could to bleed me dry and drag the proceedings out. Molly is extremely compassionate and professional. I highly recommend her.”

Molly is rated AV - the highest possible rating- by her peers through the Martindale and Hubble rating process and has been recognized as a Superb Family Law attorney and Client's Choice 2012 by Avvo.com.

Molly has also been named by Seattle Met Magazine as one of Seattle's top family law attorneys.

Tatyana received her B.S., cum laude from the University of Washington in 1999 and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2002. Washington Law & Politics magazine has selected Tatyana as a "Rising Star" for four consecutive years, from 2009 through 2012. Tatyana practices in the areas of Family Law and Employment Law.

Stacey Smythe has over 24 years of experience in representing Northwest clients in cases ranging from divorce (amicable and high-conflict), modifications, child custody, paternity, child support and domestic violence. Additionally I have experience to provide counsel in drafting Wills, Complete Estate Planning consultation and Probate Administration.

A father is one of the most important figures in a child’s life. He may provide financial and emotional support, care and nurturing, and a host of other essentials necessary to the wellbeing of the child.

Of course, while the traditional family dynamic of married biological parents is still common, there exists a variety of other paternity cases and scenarios among Bellevue families in which the children still share a bond with the father.

Even if the biological parents separate, the father is still obligated to support the child. To further shed light on this issue, the following is a list of some of the more common paternity scenarios.

Both Biological Parents Are Married

In the case that the biological parents are married at the birth of the child, paternity is automatically established; in other words, the biological father is immediately declared the legal father under Washington law. In this case, the father is required to provide support for the children, and, in the event of divorce, he still carries this obligation, either through custody or through child support payments.

Parents are Together but are Not Married

For whatever reason, the biological parents of a child may choose not to get married but remain in a committed relationship. Some may enter a registered domestic partnership. In this scenario, unless another party challenges the paternity, the registered domestic partnership creates a presumption of paternity of the father. Here, the father is still obligated to provide support for the child.

Parents Had a Child But Were Never Together

In the event that a child is born out of wedlock to parents who are not in a registered domestic partnership, paternity must be established through other means. If either the mother or father wants to establish partnership, he or she must do so in one of two ways: through a Paternity Acknowledgment Form or through a court order.

The Paternity Acknowledgment Form is a legal form that must go through the following filing process.

Signature by the father

Notarized

Filed at the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics

In order for this form to be valid, both parties must agree. If one party does not agree with the form, the other may petition the court to conduct a genetic test to determine the child’s biological father.

Mother Gives Birth to a Child of a Man Who is Not Her Husband

Another scenario arises when a woman gives birth to a child but her husband is not the biological father. In this case, her husband will be presumed the biological father because of the existence of the marriage.

Here, if any party wishes to establish the true biological father as the legal father of the child, he or she must complete a Paternity Acknowledgment Form or petition the court to make a ruling.

Child is Adopted

Many individuals and couples choose to adopt a child who is not biologically their own. In this situation, the father may not establish paternity until the biological parents’ rights have been terminated or relinquished. Once this occurs, the father may establish paternity through a Paternity Acknowledgment Form.

Do You Need Help Establishing Paternity? Call a Paternity Lawyer in Bellevue

Although it is necessary to provide for the child’s wellbeing, establishing the legal father of a child is not always an easy process. If you need help filling out a Paternity Acknowledgment Form in Bellevue, or have other questions about paternity in general, contact us today at the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny. We are happy to answer all of your questions related to family law. You can call us at 425-460-0550 to set up a consultation with a paternity attorney in Bellevue.

Molly B. Kenny's Bellevue family law office is conveniently located on Lake Bellevue Drive, making it easily accessible to those in the greater Seattle area. Our divorce and child custody lawyers help men and women get the information, guidance, and compassionate representation they need.